The initial stages of designing an effective instructional system require an instructional needs assessment be performed. This task will ensure that a learning opportunity is available and the rest of the instructional design can continue. I have been and Emergency Medical Technician for the Adams County Public Hospital District #2 for over 12 years. During my career, I have had the opportunities to attend several ongoing training classes that are required to keep EMT certification in the State of Washington. These classes provide training on existing patient care methods along with new methods that are introduced. One method that has been recently introduced is the use of the King Airway – an innovative device used to secure a patent airway when treating a patient. In my experience, along with several other EMT’s I have spoken with in the district, the King Airway has proven to be very useful along with the fact that is has an “ease of use” quality over its counterpart, the CombiTube airway system. According to the State of Washington Department of Health, EMT’s are required, on a quarterly basis, to complete refresher training on advanced airways (State of Washington). My colleagues and I feel the need for a simple refresher class that can be implemented to satisfy this requirement. This will ensure that each EMT’s skill with the King Airway device will remain competent along with increased confidence in the ability to perform the procedure.
Learning Environment
The learning environment for this training will consist of instructors and skill evaluators that are certified as Basic Life Support Skill Evaluators through the State of Washington. They must possess valid EMT certification and have had a least 3 years experience in the field. The curricula used are that of the instructor or organizations choice. There are multiple curricula available on the King Airway procedure. The cognitive apprenticeship learning method will suffice the overall goal of the class. Overhead projectors with PowerPoint presentations, along with internet connectivity to show videos or other media should be made available. Student handouts of the content covered with summative assessments are essential. Airway manikins are required for hands-on skill practice and evaluation. The location of the class should be in a conference room or learning center of a hospital or fire station (whichever entity provides pre-hospital patient care that individual EMT works for). High school or college classrooms are acceptable as well. Regardless, the location should have ample room for students to have their own learning space along with the materials mentioned in the previous paragraph. The environment of the classroom should reflect the philosophy of competent, patient care in the pre-hospital setting.
The Learner
The learner must have current EMT certification in the State of Washington. To obtain that, a person must be at least the age of 18, have a high school diploma or GED, and possess a valid driver license along with completion of the 110-hour EMT class. The learner must be affiliated with an EMS agency authorized by the State of Washington and enrolled in an approved Ongoing Training and Evaluation Program (OTEP) for re-certification purposes.
Proposal
The initial stages of designing an effective instructional system require an instructional needs assessment be performed. This task will ensure that a learning opportunity is available and the rest of the instructional design can continue.
I have been and Emergency Medical Technician for the Adams County Public Hospital District #2 for over 12 years. During my career, I have had the opportunities to attend several ongoing training classes that are required to keep EMT certification in the State of Washington. These classes provide training on existing patient care methods along with new methods that are introduced. One method that has been recently introduced is the use of the King Airway – an innovative device used to secure a patent airway when treating a patient. In my experience, along with several other EMT’s I have spoken with in the district, the King Airway has proven to be very useful along with the fact that is has an “ease of use” quality over its counterpart, the CombiTube airway system.
According to the State of Washington Department of Health, EMT’s are required, on a quarterly basis, to complete refresher training on advanced airways (State of Washington). My colleagues and I feel the need for a simple refresher class that can be implemented to satisfy this requirement. This will ensure that each EMT’s skill with the King Airway device will remain competent along with increased confidence in the ability to perform the procedure.
Learning Environment
The learning environment for this training will consist of instructors and skill evaluators that are certified as Basic Life Support Skill Evaluators through the State of Washington. They must possess valid EMT certification and have had a least 3 years experience in the field.
The curricula used are that of the instructor or organizations choice. There are multiple curricula available on the King Airway procedure. The cognitive apprenticeship learning method will suffice the overall goal of the class. Overhead projectors with PowerPoint presentations, along with internet connectivity to show videos or other media should be made available. Student handouts of the content covered with summative assessments are essential. Airway manikins are required for hands-on skill practice and evaluation.
The location of the class should be in a conference room or learning center of a hospital or fire station (whichever entity provides pre-hospital patient care that individual EMT works for). High school or college classrooms are acceptable as well. Regardless, the location should have ample room for students to have their own learning space along with the materials mentioned in the previous paragraph. The environment of the classroom should reflect the philosophy of competent, patient care in the pre-hospital setting.
The Learner
The learner must have current EMT certification in the State of Washington. To obtain that, a person must be at least the age of 18, have a high school diploma or GED, and possess a valid driver license along with completion of the 110-hour EMT class. The learner must be affiliated with an EMS agency authorized by the State of Washington and enrolled in an approved Ongoing Training and Evaluation Program (OTEP) for re-certification purposes.
References
State of Washington. (n.d.). WAC 246-976-161. Retrieved April 10, 2011, from Office of Emergency Medical and Trauma Prevention: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/emstrauma/download/WACS/246-976-161.pdf